What began as a joyous Fourth of July celebration on Lake Conroe, north of Houston, quickly turned into a devastating tragedy that claimed the life of a young mother, Jerry McMein. As fireworks lit up the night sky, a series of events unfolded, leaving behind a heartbroken family and unanswered questions.
Jerry, her husband Brandon, and a group of family and friends, including Jerry’s brother-in-law, Kyle Dean McMein, and their friend, Shane Everett Anaboli, were enjoying the festivities on the lake. While the exact details remain unclear, two boats, one allegedly piloted by Kyle and the other by Shane, were involved in a collision that caused Jerry to fall overboard.
Two boats on a lake.
Adding to the horrific turn of events, Jerry was not wearing a life preserver. Kyle’s girlfriend, Aubrey Kurin, courageously jumped into the water to assist Jerry, but both women vanished from sight in the darkness. Kyle and Shane also dove in, desperately searching for the women in the increasingly frantic situation.
The Montgomery County Marine Division, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and local fire departments, along with other first responders, wasted no time in responding to the distress call. Captain Miguel Rosario was on the scene, describing the urgent situation as they arrived: “We responded to a lake rescue where a female had [gone] overboard on a boat… [Initially,] our call note stated that one female had fallen over and three other people were in the water searching for her.”
Rescue boats on the water.
The rescue teams quickly located Kyle and Shane, pulling them from the water unharmed. Utilizing side-scan sonar, they continued to scour the lake for any sign of Jerry and Aubrey. Remarkably, Aubrey was found alive and well, having managed to swim nearly three-quarters of a mile to safety.
Tragically, the search for Jerry ended in heartbreak. After several agonizing hours, her body was recovered at 11:30 p.m. by a team of divers from the North Montgomery County Fire Department.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with Montgomery County District Attorney, Brett Lisenby, lamenting, “These are the perils of being on a boat drinking all day. The perils of being on a crowded lake. These are the things we hope to avoid every summer.”
The investigation quickly turned its focus to the potential role of alcohol in the tragedy. Both Shane Anaboli and Kyle McMein were arrested for boating while intoxicated (BWI) and held at the Montgomery County Jail. While they were later released on bond, the investigation is ongoing, and prosecutors have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges being filed.
The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of boating under the influence. Just as driving under the influence is a serious offense, so too is operating a boat while impaired. Alcohol consumption affects judgment, coordination, and reaction time, increasing the risk of accidents on the water.
